Circuit breaker with adjustable count to lockout



Sept. 14, 1965 R. J. LAWRENCE 3,206,575

CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH ADJUSTABLE COUNT TO LOCKOUT Filed Jan. 30, 1964Fig.3.

WITNESSES Fig.l.

INVENTOR Robert J. Lawrence ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,206,575CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH ADJUSTABLE CDUNT TO LOCKOUT Robert J. Lawrence,Ellettsville, Ind., assignor to Westingllouse Electric Corporation,Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Jan. 30, 1964, Ser.No. 342,335 15 Claims. (Cl. ZOO-89) This application is acontinuation-in-part of application Serial No. 113,879, filed May 31,1961, assigned to the same assignee as this application, and nowabandoned.

This invention relates, generally, to circuit interrupter devices, andit has reference in particular to apparatus therein for changing thetotal number of operations of a counting device required to lockout acircuit interrupter which functions as a line sectionalizer.

Heretofore, where it has been desired to adjust the number ofconsecutive counts to lockout in a circuit interrupter, it has beennecessary to employ hand tools requiring the expenditure of aconsiderable amount of time.

Generally stated, it is an object of this invention to provide a circuitinterrupter having a substantially instantaneously adjustable lockoutdevice for changing the number of consecutive counts required to lockoutthe circuit interrupter.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to employexternally operable electromechanical means for making rapid change inthe number of counts to lockout in a circuit interrupter.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a circuit interruptersolenoid-operated means for rapidly changing the number of countsrequired to lockout the circuit interrupter.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide in a circuitinterrupter a device for substantially instantaneously changing thenumber of counts required to lockout the circuit interrupter, whereinthe change is made in response to changes in electrical condition in thecircuit of the circuit interrupter.

These and other objects of this invention will become more apparent uponconsideration of the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment thereof, when taken in connection with the attached drawing,in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic illustration of a line seetionalizer includingthe lockout count changing device, and showing this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the line sectionalizer ofFIGURE 1 showing the details of the lockout count changing apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view taken in side elevation of a modificationof the trip device of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view taken in side elevation of anothermodification of the trip device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, there is shown a schematicillustration of a line sectionalizer, generally indicated at 111, whichmay be of the type disclosed in Patent No. 2,752,453, and which isadapted to include a device for changing the number of counts requiredto lockout the sectionalizer, which sequence changing means is generallyindicated at 11.

The basic line sectionalizer includes a pair of separable contacts 12,an operating mechanism 13, and a counter mechanism 14.

The operating mechanism 13 comprises a bellcrank trigger 15 disposed tosupport a lever 16 pivotally mounted at one end to the frame of thesectionalizer and carrying a pivot 17 which comprises one of theterminal points of a ice lever 18. A toggle mechanism, including a lever21 pivotally connected to the lever 18 by a pivot 22 and an operatinghandle 23 pivotally supported on the casing of the sectionalizer by apivot 24 comprises the other terminal point of support for the lever 18.A pull rod 27 for opening the contacts 12 is connected to the lever 18by a pivot 28. It is seen that the toggle mechanism may be trippedeither by operation of the handle 23 or by operation of the trigger 15in a counterclockwise direction.

The counter mechanism 14, as fully described in detail in theaforementioned patent, is a solenoid operated hydraulic lift systemseries connected in the line with the separable contacts 12 between theterminals T1 and T3. The solenoid is operable in response to faultcurrent through the solenoid for measuring a predetermined amount offluid for insertion beneath the lift, and includes a spring for raisingthe lift when the solenoid is deenergized as the circuit is opened byreclosure circuit breaker means in series with the line sectionalizer.The counter includes a hydraulically lifted trip member 30 which israised a fixed increment as the solenoid is deenergized, and alsoincludes means (not shown) retaining the trip member 30 in the lastadvanced position after each count of a circuit interruption until aftera predetermined number of counts the trip member 31) has achieved amaximum advanced condition representing a maximum count.

In the aforementioned patent, the trip member 30 is adapted to engageand trip the trigger 15 after the occur rence of a predetermined numberof closely successive line interruptions to effect lockout of thesectionalizer.

In accordance with the present invention, the change in the number ofcounts required to lockout the circuit interrupter is made by thepresence of a lockout count changer 11 including an auxiliary tripdevice 31 ad justably disposed between the trip member 30 and thetrigger 15 so that the trigger 15 is indirectly tripped by the operationof the trip member 30 as it engages the adjustable trip device 31 toeffect lockout of the line seetionalizer, as will now be described.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 it will be seen that the adjustable count tolockout device 11 comprises a solenoid 32, a carrier means 33 controlledby the solenoid, and the previously mentioned auxiliary trip means 31carried on the carrier 33, all in association with an especiallyconstructed trip member extension 36 on the previously mentioned tripmember 30 as described with respect to the counter 14 in FIGURE 1.

The auxiliary trip member 31 comprises a shank portion 46 slidablyreceived within a tubular bearing 45 and includes a laterally enlargedhead portion 48 engageable with the trigger 15 when the trip member 31is moved upwardly within bearing 45.

The trip member 30 of counter 14 includes at the upper end thereof alaterally enlarged head portion 49 having an end portion 50 comprising afirst tripping surface and having a cut out or depressed portion 51axially and laterally displaced with respect to the first trippingportion 50 and defining a second tripping surface.

The solenoid 32 comprises a casing 37 attached to the frame or tank wall38 of the sectionalizer by any suitable means. A coil 39 encircles thecasing and provides a means for effecting movement of an armature 40slidably mounted within the casing for reciprocal movement therein. Thearmature 40 includes at the inner end an axially extending spacer orstop member 41 engageable with the tank wall 38 to define the innerlimit of movement of the armature 40 when the coil 39 is energized. Acompression spring 43 is disposed in the casing between the tank wall 38and shoulders 44 on the inner end of armature 40 to bias the armature tothe left or outer position, as shown, when the coil is deenergized.

The carrier 33 comprises a shank portion 42 fixed to the outer end ofarmature 40 and axially extending through the casing 37. A tubularbearing 45 is fixed to the outer end of the shank 42 with its axisperpendicular to the axis of the shank.

It is to be understood that the head 36 and trip member 31 may becomprised of fiat stock to prevent relative turning and misalignmentbetween cooperating parts.

When the solenoid 32 is deenergized, as shown in FIG- URE 2, thearmature 40 is urged to the outward position, as shown, thus aligningthe auxiliary trip member 31 between the trigger 15 and the depressedtrip surface 51 on head 49 of trip member 30 so that the counter 14 mustcount a predetermined number of line deenergizations, such as two,whereupon the surface 51 engages the shank 46 of the auxiliary tripmember 31 raising the trip ping head 48 into tripping engagement withthe trigger 15.

When the solenoid 32 is energized, it will be understood that thearmature 40 moves inwardly of the casing 37 until stop member 41 engagesthe tank wall, thus align ing the shank 46 of auxiliary trip member 31with the tripping surface 50 on head 49 of trip member 30, whereby,depending upon the amount of relative axial displacement betweensurfaces 50 and 51, a lesser number of counts is required for thecounter 14 to effect movement of the auxiliary trip member 31 intoengagement with the trigger 15. As shown, the relative displacement ofsurfaces 50 and 51 equals the distance traveled by the trip member 30 ofone count operation, therefore, if two counts are required for surface51 to eifect tripping of trigger 15, when the solenoid 32 isdeenergized, only one count is required for surface to trip trigger whenthe solenoid is energized.

The counter mechanism 14 as described in the abovementioned patent isautomatically resettable to a zero count condition if the number ofclosely successive line interruptions which occur is less than thepredetermined number of line interruptions required for the trip member30 to actuate the auxiliary trip member 31 into engagement with thetrigger 15 and an additional line interruption does not occur beforecompletion of the resetting operation.

It will be understood that the change in the total number of countsrequired to lockout the sectionalizer may be altered as desired merelyby shaping the head 49 of trip member extension 36 in accordance with apredetermined desired alternate number of counts to lockout. Forexample, as shown in FIGURE 3, the tripping surfaces 54 and 55,corresponding to surfaces 51 and 50 of FIG- URE 2, are axially reversedso that the deenergized condition of the solenoid 32 effects a lessercount to trip the trigger 15 than does the energized condition of thesolenoid 32.

As a further example of changing the number of counts required tolockout the sectionalizer by merely reshaping the head portion 49 oftrip member extension 36, reference is made to FIGURE 4 showing amodification of head member 36 having three relatively axially displacedsurfaces 58, 59 and 60 so that the head, per se, or the head andsolenoid may be reversed. Thus, either an increase or decrease in thenumber of counts to lockout may be employed at the option of the user.

The control system for the trip to lockout changing device 11 may becomprised of a means which is responsive to a circuit condition which isdifferent from the fault current to which the solenoid of the countermechanism 14 responds, such as a potential transformer 61 connectedacross the line between the terminals T1 and T2 to effect change in thecount as desired in response to loss of voltage in the system, thusadapting the sectionalizer for wide versatility of application invarious types of distribution systems.

In view of the foregoing it is readily apparent that the count changingdevice 11 has utility in other circuit breakers, such as an automaticrecloser which employs advance- 4- able counting means for ultimatelytripping a lockout mechanism.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that there has beenprovided a device which quickly alters the desired number of counts tolockout of a circuit interrupter from a preferred number of counts tolockout to an alternate number of counts to lockout.

Since numerous changes may be made in the above described constructionsand different embodiments of the invention may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all the mattercontained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanyingdrawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

I claim as my invention:

1. A circuit interrupter comprising separable contacts, operating meansfor actuating said contacts including trip means for effectingseparation of said contact-s, resettable counting means for actuatingsaid trip means in response to a first predetermined circuit conditionoccurring a predetermined number of times, and means responsive to asecond predetermined circuit condition which is different from the firstpredetermined circuit condition for altering the number of times saidfirst circuit condition occurs before said trip means is actuated.

2. A circuit interrupter comprising separable contacts, operating meansfor actuating said contacts including trip means for effectingseparation of said contacts, resettable counting means for actuatingsaid trip means in response to a first predetermined circuit conditionoccurring a predetermined number of times, and means responsive to aloss of circuit voltage for altering the number of times said firstcircuit condition occurs before said trip means is actuated.

3. A circuit interrupter adapted for use with an electric circuitcomprising separable contacts, operating means for actuating saidcontacts including trip means for effecting separation of said contacts,resettable counting means for actuating said trip means to effectseparation of said contacts in response to a first predeterminedcondition of said electric circuit occurring a predetermined number oftimes, and means responsive to a second predetermined condition of saidelectric circuit which is different from the first predeterminedcondition for changing the number of times said first predeterminedcondition occurs before said trip means is actuated to efiect separationof said contacts.

4. A circuit interrupter comprising separable contacts, operating meansfor actuating said contacts including trip means for effectingseparation of said contacts, at least three terminals, resettablecounting means connected in circuit relation with a first pair of saidthree terminals for actuating said trip means in response to a firstpredetermined circuit condition occurring a predetermined number ,oftimes, and means connected in circuit relation with a second pair ofsaid three terminals responsive to a second predetermined circuitcondition for altering the number of times said first circuit conditionoccurs before said trip means is actuated.

5. A circuit interrupter, comprising: separable contacts; meansincluding trip means operable to effect separation of said contacts;means for counting consecutive occurrences of a predetermined circuitcondition and including means advanceable a predetermined incrementtoward said trip means for each occurrence of said circuit condition;auxiliary trip means supported independently of the advanceable meansbetween said advanceable means and said trip means to efiect tripping ofsaid trip means in response to engagement by said advanceable means;said auxiliary trip means being adjustably positionable to cooperatewith difierent portions of the advanceable means to change the effectivedistance between the advanceable means and the trip means.

6. A circuit interrupter, comprising: separable contacts; meansincluding trip means operable to effect separation of said contacts;means for counting consecutive occurrences of a predetermined circuitcondition and including means advanceable a predetermined incrementtoward said trip means for each occurrence of said circuit condition;auxiliary trip means disposed between said advanceable means and saidtrip means to effect tripping of said trip means in response toengagement by said advanceable means; means including electroresponsivemeans operable to adjust the position of the auxiliary tr p means tochange the effective distance betwen the trip means and the advanceablemeans.

7. A line sectionalizer, comprising: separable contacts; means includingtrip means operable to effect separation of said contacts; means forcounting consecutive occurrences of circuit interruptions and includingmeans advanceable a predetermined increment toward the trip means foreach occurrence of a circuit interruption; auxiliary trip means disposedbetween said advanceable means and saidtrip means to effect tripping ofsaid trip means in response to engagement by said advanceable means; andelectromechanical means for changing the position of said auxiliary tripmeans to change the effective distance between the advanceable means andthe trip means.

8. A circuit interrupter, comprising: separable contacts, meansincluding trip means operable to effect separation of said contacts;means for counting successive occurrences of a predetermined circuitcondition and including means advanceable step by step on successivecounts along a path toward the trip means; said advanceable means1ncluding at least two tripping surfaces fixed with respect to eachother and relatively displaced in a direction coextensive with saidpath; auxiliary trip means disposed on said path between the advanceablemeans and the trip means to trip said trip means when engaged by eitherof said two tripping surfaces; and means for selectively positioningsaid auxiliary trip means for engagement by individual ones of said twotripping surfaces.

9. A circuit interrupter, comprising: separable contacts; meansincluding trip means operable to effect separation of said contacts;means for counting successive occurrences of a predetermined circuitcondition and including means advanceable step by step on successivecounts along a path toward the trip means; said advanceable meansincluding a plurality of tripping surfaces fixed with respect to eachother and relatively displaced in a direction coextensive with saidpath; auxiliary trip means disposed on said path between the advanceablemeans and the trip means to trip said trip means when engaged by any oneof said plurality of tripping surfaces; and electroresponsive means forselectively positioning said auxiliary trip means for engagement byindividual ones of said plurality of trip surfaces.

10. A circuit interrupter, comprising: separable contacts; meansincluding trip means operable to effect separation of said contacts;means for counting successive occurrences of a predetermined circuitcondition and including means advanceable step by step on successivecounts along a main path toward the trip means; said advanceable meansincluding a pair of relatively fixed surfaces disposed in side by siderelationship, each movable along parallel paths within said main pathand relatively displaced in a direction parallel to said main path;auxiliary trip means disposed parallel to said main path; ment alongsaid path between said advanceable means and said trip means; saidauxiliary trip means including a tripping surface movable transverselyof said main path from one of said parallel paths to the other andfacing said two tripping surfaces, and another tripping surface facingthe trip means and extending across both said parallel paths; and meansoperable to selectively move said auxiliary trip means transversely ofsaid main path so that the first tripping surface is selectivelydisposed in one or the other of said two parallel paths and the othertripping surface is disposed to engage said trip 6 means when the firsttripping surface is engaged by one of the tripping surfaces.

11. A circuit interrupter, comprising: separable contacts; meansincluding trip means operable to effect separation of said contacts;means for counting successive occurrences of a predetermined circuitcondition and including means advanceable step by step on successivecounts along a main path toward the trip means; said advanceable meansincluding a pair of relatively fixed tripping surfaces disposed in sideby side relationship, each in a separate path parallel with the mainpath and relatively displaced along said main path; auxiliary trip meansdisposed in said main path for movement along said path between saidadvanceable means and said trip means; said auxiliary trip meansincluding a tripping surface movable transversely of said main path fromone of said parallel paths to the other and facing said two trippingsurfaces and including another tripping surface facing the trip meansand extending across both said parallel paths; and solenoid meansoperable to effect movement of said auxiliary trip means transversely ofsaid main path from one of said parallel paths to the other so that thefirst tripping surface is disposed in one or the other of said twoparallel paths and the other tripping surface is disposed to engage saidtrip means when the first tripping surface is engaged by one of the pairof tripping surfaces.

12. A circuit interrupter, comprising: separable contacts; meansincluding trip means operable to effect separation of said contacts;means for counting successive occurrences of a predetermined circuitcondition and including means advanceable step by step on successivecounts along a path toward the trip means; said advanceable meansincluding a plurality of tripping surfaces fixed with respect to eachother and displaced with respect to each other in a directioncoextensive with said path; auxiliary trip means disposed on said pathbetween the advanceable means and the trip means to trip said trip meanswhen engaged by any one of said plurality of tripping surfaces; solenoidmeans having a coil and an armature movable with respect thereto; meansresponsive to different positions of said armature with respect to thecoil to position said auxiliary trip means for engage- ;nent by adifferent one of said plurality of tripping suraces.

13. A circuit interrupter, comprising: separable contacts; meansincluding trip means operable to effect separation of said contacts;means for counting successive occurrences of a predetermined circuitcondition and including means advanceable step by step on successivecounts along a path toward the tripping means; said advanceable meansincluding at least two tripping surfaces fixed with respect to eachother and displaced with respect to each other in a directioncoextensive with said path; auxiliary trip means disposed on said pathbetween said advanceable means and said trip means to trip said tripmeans when engaged by either of said two tripping surfaces; solenoidmeans having a coil and an armature movable with respect thereto; meansoperable in response to an energized condition of said coil to disposesaid auxiliary trip means to be engaged by a predetermined one of saidtripping surfaces and operable when the solenoid is deenergized todispose said auxiliary trip means for engagement by the other of saidtwo tripping surfaces.

14. A circuit interrupter, comprising: separable contacts; meansincluding trip means operable to effect separation of said contacts;means for counting successive occurrences of a predetermined circuitcondition and including means advanceable step by step on successivecounts along a path toward the tripping means; said advanceable meansincluding at least two tripping surfaces fixed with respect to eachother and displaced with respect to each other in a directioncoextensive with said path; auxiliary trip means disposed on said pathbetween said advanceable means and said trip means to trip said tripmeans when engaged by either of said two tripping surfaces; solenoidmeans having a coil and an armature movable with respect thereto; meansoperable in response to an energized condition of said coil to disposesaid auxiliary trip means to be engaged by a predetermined one of saidtripping surfaces and operable when the solenoid is deenergized todispose said auxiliary trip means for engagement by the other of saidtwo tripping surfaces; and means conecting said solenoid to becontrolled in accordance with conditions in the circuit of the contacts.

15. A circuit interrupter, comprising: separable contacts, meansincluding trip means operable to effect separation of said contacts;means for counting successive occurrences of a predetermined circuitcondition and including means advanceable step by step on successivecounts along a path toward the tripping means; said advanceable meansincluding at least two tripping surfaces fixed with respect to eachother and displaced with respect to each other in a directioncoextensive with said path; auxiliary trip means disposed on said pathbetween said advanceable means and said trip means to trip said tripmeans when engaged by either of said two tripping surfaces; solenoidmeans having a coil and an armature movable with respect thereto; meansoperable in response to an energized condition of said coil to disposesaid auxiliary trip means to be engaged by a predetermined one of saidtripping surfaces and operable when the solenoid is deenergized todispose said auxiliary trip means for engagement by the other of saidtwo tripping surfaces; and means connecting said solenoid to becontrolled in accordance with voltage in the circuit of the contacts.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,308,249 7/ 19MacGahan 31722 2,483,602 10/49 Wallace 20089 2,688,672 9/54 Edwards200-89 2,752,453 6/56 Wallace 20010-8 2,769,055 10/56 Wallace 200-892,926,228 2/ 60 Date et a1 20089 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

1. A CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER COMPRISING SEPARABLE CONTACTS, OPERATING MEANSFOR ACTUATING SAID CONTACTS INCLUDING TRIP MEANS FOR EFFECTINGSEPARATION OF SAID CONTACTS, RESETTABLE COUNTING MEANS FEOR ACTUATINGSAID TRIP MEANS IN RESPONSE TO A FIRST PREDETERMINED CIRCUIT CONDITIONOCCURRING A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF TIMES, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO ASECOND PREDETERMINED CIRCUIT CONDITION WHICH IS DIFFERENT FROM THE FIRSTPREDETERMINED CIRCUIT CONDITION FOR ALTERING THE NUMBER OF TIMES SAIDFIRST CIRCUIT CONDITION OCCURS BEFORE SAID TRIP MEANS IS ACTUATED.